Bedgebury blooms in time for Mother’s Day

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After the wet and windy winter, there is much anticipation and excitement at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, as the new Cherry Tree Avenue that was planted last year is about to blossom.

With the warm weather that has been forecast for this weekend, it is hoped that the cherry trees will create a striking avenue of pink blossom in time for Mother’s Day.

The cherry trees were planted last summer when Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, located in Goudhurst, Kent, was generously gifted 111 cherry trees by a Japanese martial arts organisation called DNBK (Dai Nippon Butoku Kai), in order to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Anglo-Japanese alliance treaty.

“The diverse mix of conifers and broadleaf tree species at Bedgebury already ensures year round colour and texture and the new cherry tree avenue will add to this spectacle, providing a very special spring walk when they are in blossom.”

Along with a newly completed phase of landscaping around the visitor centre, and a recently busy program of maintenance, the Cherry Tree Avenue now links Bedgebury's National Pinetum with the adventure play trail. This both enhances the tree collection and helps deliver one of Bedgebury's key objectives, which is to connect people with trees.

Families will also get to celebrate The Gruffalo's 15th anniversary at Bedgebury this spring.

From 11 April, visitors can join Mouse on his adventure and explore Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning tale through The Gruffalo activity trail around the Pinetum.

From June, a giant wooden sculpture of The Gruffalo himself will be hidden in Bedgebury Pinetum, and from 7 June visitors can join The Gruffalo to celebrate his anniversary with a big birthday forest picnic – inspired by an exciting party pack of forest-inspired picnic ideas, activities and bunting, free to download this spring from the Forestry Commission’s website www.forestry.gov.uk/gruffalo

“As well as The Gruffalo activity trails, our popular holiday family activities, outdoor theatre and sold out Forest Live concerts, we have some exciting new events planned for Bedgebury, so we have a very busy and exciting year coming up.”

Bursting with colour, activities and events, there will be something for everyone when you visit Bedgebury this spring and summer. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/england